# Why does HP printer say "Driver Unavailable"?
If your HP printer says Driver **1-844-957-6312** unavailable, here's how to fix it. Many users see this message after an OS update, driver mismatch, or when Windows (or another OS) can’t find a compatible driver in its library. The good news: most causes are straightforward to diagnose and resolve. This article walks through the root causes, quick checks, and full solutions for Windows, macOS, Chromebooks, and other environments so you can get printing again.

### Why the “Driver Unavailable” message appears

1. **OS update or incompatibility** — After a major Windows update or macOS release, the existing printer driver may no longer be compatible.
2. **Incorrect driver installed** — A generic or wrong-model driver won’t support your specific HP features and can show as unavailable.
3. **Driver corruption** — Files get corrupted (partial installs, interrupted updates) and the system can’t load the driver.
4. **64-bit vs 32-bit conflict** — Installing a 32-bit driver on a 64-bit OS (or vice versa) causes problems.
5. **Signed-driver enforcement** — Modern OSs often require signed drivers; unsigned or modified drivers will be blocked.
6. **Print spooler or driver store issues** — A stuck spooler or old driver packages in the driver store can prevent new drivers from registering.
7. **USB or network communication issues** — Faulty USB cables, port problems, or unstable network connections can make the OS think the driver is missing.
8. **Wrong setup method for network printers** — Driverless IPP/IPP-Everywhere is preferred; using legacy drivers or wrong protocols causes errors.

### Quick checks (do these first)

* Restart the printer and the computer.
* Try a different USB cable and port (or switch from Wi-Fi to Ethernet).
* On Windows, open **Settings > Printers & scanners** to see if the device shows as offline or with an error.
* On macOS, check **System Settings > Printers & Scanners** and remove/re-add the printer.
* Temporarily disable antivirus/firewall to rule out blocking.

### Step-by-step fixes for Windows

1. **Run HP Print and Scan Doctor** — HP’s free tool detects and repairs driver and spooler issues.
2. **Uninstall old drivers completely**:

* Open **Devices and Printers**, remove the printer.
* In **Print server properties** (from Devices and Printers), go to **Drivers** tab and remove old HP entries (choose “Remove driver and driver package”).
3. **Restart the Print Spooler** (services.msc → Print Spooler → Restart).
4. **Download the correct driver** from HP’s official support page — pick the Full Feature Software for your exact model and OS version (32/64-bit).
5. **Install as Administrator** and follow HP’s installer instructions (prefer USB during initial install for many models).
6. **If Windows keeps installing a basic driver**, temporarily disable automatic driver updates: System > Advanced system settings > Hardware > Device Installation Settings → No. Then reinstall HP driver.
7. **Advanced**: if driver packages are stubborn, use `pnputil` in an elevated Command Prompt to list and delete driver packages.

### Mac, Chromebook & Linux tips

* **macOS**: Use **HP Easy Start** or HP’s drivers from support.hp.com. Remove and re-add printers in **Printers & Scanners**.
* **Chromebook**: Use driverless printing (IPP/IPP-Everywhere) or set up via HP Smart; Chromebooks don’t use traditional drivers.
* **Linux**: Install HPLIP (HP Linux Imaging and Printing) and follow distribution-specific steps.

### Network printers and driverless alternatives

Modern HP and many other printers support **IPP/IPP-Everywhere**, **AirPrint**, and **Mopria**. These driverless protocols simplify setup:

* Add the printer by IP (use the Embedded Web Server to find the IP).
* On Windows, add a printer → The printer I want isn’t listed → Add a printer using TCP/IP address or hostname and select IPP.
Using these standards avoids driver-version conflicts.

### Firmware, admin rights, and signed drivers

* **Update printer firmware** from HP’s site or the Embedded Web Server — firmware fixes can remove compatibility bugs.
* **Install with admin rights** — lack of permissions can leave installs half-done.
* **Use signed drivers** provided by HP; avoid unofficial or patched drivers that OS security may block.

### If the problem persists

* Test the printer on another computer. If it works, the original computer likely has configuration issues.
* Consider a **system rollback** to a restore point if the driver issue started after a recent update and other fixes fail.
* Contact HP support if the device shows hardware errors or the Embedded Web Server reports networking/hardware faults.

### Preventive practices

* Keep OS and firmware updated, but check HP’s support pages for driver compatibility notes before major OS upgrades.
* Use HP’s Full Feature driver or HP Universal Print Driver (UPD) for mixed-model environments.
* Regularly remove old drivers from the driver store to prevent conflicts.

### Final thoughts

The “Driver Unavailable” message is usually a software or communication issue — not a fatal hardware failure. Methodically uninstall old drivers, use HP’s diagnostic tools, install the correct Full Feature driver (or opt for driverless IPP), and update firmware. If you prefer guided help while performing these steps, remote support or a technician can walk you through the process and resolve tricky driver-store or signed-driver hurdles efficiently.